Inter-Personal Motor Synergy: Co-working Strategy Depends on Task Constraints

We investigated the role of task constraints on inter-personal interactions. Twenty-one pairs of co-workers performed a finger force production task on force sensors placed at two ends of a seesaw-like apparatus and matched a combined target force of 20N for 23 seconds over ten trials. There were two experimental conditions: 1) FIXED: the seesaw apparatus was mechanically held in place so that the only task constraint was to match the 20N resultant force, and 2) MOVING: the lever in the apparatus was allowed to rotate freely around its fulcrum, acting like a seesaw, so an additional task constraint to (implicitly) balance the resultant moment was added. We hypothesized that the additional task constraint of moment stabilization imposed on the MOVING condition would deteriorate task performance compared to the FIXED condition; however, this was rejected as the performance of the force matching task was similar between two conditions. We also hypothesized that the central nervous systems (CNSs) would employ distinct co-working strategies or inter-personal motor synergy (IPMS) between conditions to satisfy different task constraints, which was supported by our results. Negative covariance between co-worker's forces in the FIXED condition suggested a force stabilization strategy, while positive covariance in the MOVING condition suggested a moment stabilization strategy, implying that independent CNSs adopt distinct IPMSs depending on task constraints. We speculate that, in the absence of a central neural controller, shared visual and mechanical connections between co-workers may suffice to trigger modulations in the cerebellum of each CNS to satisfy competing task constraints.

Research on Query Optimization of Classic Art Database Based on Artificial Intelligence and Edge Computing

With the changes and development of the social era, my country’s classic art is slowly being lost. In order to more effectively inherit and preserve classic art, the collection and sorting of classic art data through modern information technology has become a top priority. Database storage is a good way. However, as the amount of data grows, the requirements for computing processing power and query speed for massive amounts of data and information are also increasing day by day. Faced with this problem, this article is aimed at studying the optimization of database queries through effective algorithms to improve the efficiency of data query. Based on the traditional database query optimization algorithm, this article improves on the traditional algorithm and proposes a semi-join query optimization algorithm, which reduces the number of connection cards and the number of columns and uses the number of blocks that participate in the semi-link algorithm connection and preconnection preview and selection. And other functions reduce the size of the participating block, and the connection sent between sites reduces the cost of sending between networks. The graph data query optimization algorithm is used to optimize the graph data query in the database to reduce the extra task overhead and improve the system performance. The experimental results of this paper show that through the data query optimization algorithm of this paper, the additional task overhead is reduced by 19%, the system performance is increased by 22%, and the data query efficiency is increased by 31%.

A Current View on Dual-Task Paradigms and Their Limitations to Capture Cognitive Load

Dual-task paradigms encompass a broad range of approaches to measure cognitive load in instructional settings. As a common characteristic, an additional task is implemented alongside a learning task to capture the individual’s unengaged cognitive capacities during the learning process. Measures to determine these capacities are, for instance, reaction times and interval errors on the additional task, while the performance on the learning task is to be maintained. Opposite to retrospectively applied subjective ratings, the continuous assessment within a dual-task paradigm allows to simultaneously monitor changes in the performance related to previously defined tasks. Following the Cognitive Load Theory, these changes in performance correspond to cognitive changes related to the establishment of permanently existing knowledge structures. Yet the current state of research indicates a clear lack of standardization of dual-task paradigms over study settings and task procedures. Typically, dual-task designs are adapted uniquely for each study, albeit with some similarities across different settings and task procedures. These similarities range from the type of modality to the frequency used for the additional task. This results in a lack of validity and comparability between studies due to arbitrarily chosen patterns of frequency without a sound scientific base, potentially confounding variables, or undecided adaptation potentials for future studies. In this paper, the lack of validity and comparability between dual-task settings will be presented, the current taxonomies compared and the future steps for a better standardization and implementation discussed.

The role of working memory for task-order coordination in dual-task situations

Dual-task (DT) situations require task-order coordination processes that schedule the processing of two temporally overlapping tasks. Theories on task-order coordination suggest that these processes rely on order representations that are actively maintained and processed in working memory (WM). Preliminary evidence for this assumption stems from DT situations with variable task order, where repeating task order relative to the preceding trials results in improved performance compared to changing task order, indicating the processing of task-order information in WM between two succeeding trials. We directly tested this assumption by varying WM load during a DT with variable task order. In Experiment 1, WM load was manipulated by varying the number of stimulus–response mappings of the component tasks. In Experiment 2A, WM load was increased by embedding an additional WM updating task in the applied DT. In both experiments, the performance benefit for trials with repeated relative to trials with changed task order was reduced under high compared to low WM load. These results confirm our assumption that the processing of the task-order information relies on WM resources. In Experiment 2B, we tested whether the results of Experiment 2A can be attributed to introducing an additional task per se rather than to increased WM load by introducing an additional task with a low WM load. Importantly, in this experiment, the processing of order information was not affected. In sum, the results of the three experiments indicate that task-order coordination relies on order information which is maintained in an accessible state in WM during DT processing.

Optimizing contrast-enhanced echocardiography by employing a sonographer driven protocol

Background The use of enhancing agents in echocardiography has been shown to facilitate improved study quality. Despite the known benefits, its use remains limited by institutional policies. Methods We aimed to retrospectively evaluate if allowing sonographers to place a peripheral intravenous catheter and administer enhancing agent led to a decrease in time to complete outpatient transthoracic echocardiograms in comparison to using nursing personnel. Three separate protocols were employed. The ‘nurse driven protocol’ utilized nurses to place a peripheral intravenous catheter and inject enhancing agent. In a ‘mixed protocol,’ a nurse placed a peripheral intravenous catheter and the sonographer gave the enhancing agent. The ‘sonographer driven protocol’ involved the sonographer placing the peripheral intravenous catheter and delivering enhancing agent. Results A total of 232 echocardiograms were included for analysis. Patient characteristics across the three protocols were not statistically significant. The ‘mixed protocol’ had an average study time that was significantly less than the ‘nurse driven protocol’ (49.4 min ± 11.4 vs 54.6 min ± 12.9; p = 0.024). The ‘sonographer driven protocol’ also showed a significant reduction in study time (50.3 min ± 12.6) when compared to the ‘nurse driven protocol’ (p = 0.017). The additional task for the sonographer to place the peripheral intravenous catheter did not significantly increase the time to complete the study. Conclusion Allowing sonographers to administer enhancing agent reduced individual echocardiogram study times by approximately 5 min, supporting that a ‘sonographer driven protocol’ is more efficient with potential downstream economic benefits.

Optimal operation of a rail lubrication device with respect to noise reduction and wheel/rail friction coefficient

During research work, three series of studies were performed to support the importance of using rail lubrication at tramway tracks in Budapest. The first task was to determine the noise reduction efficiency of automated rail lubrication: noise measurements were performed in case of lubricated rails with corrugations, non-lubricated rails with corrugations, grinded rails as well as grinded and lubricated rails. Once the conformity was determined, an additional task was to find the right lubricant. After the noise and braking effect tests of various lubricants, it was a legitimate need to determine the optimum lubricant application because the setting of the devices is based only on the experience of the Operator. Finally, the noise mitigation effect and the friction coefficient affecting the wheel/rail contact with different lubricant application settings were investigated simultaneously. It is important that the lubricant be applied in appropriate amount such that even the safe movement of the trams is guaranteed, but at the same time the noise reduction is satisfactory too. Based on the results, the authors make recommendations for the application of the rail lubrication devices.

D4.4 API and runtime (complete with documentation and basic unit testing) for IO employing fast local storage

This deliverable presents the activities performed on the ExaQUte project task 4.5 Development of interface to fast local storage. The activities have been focused in two aspects: reduction of the storage space used by applications and design and implementation of an interface that optimizes the use of fast local storage by MPI simulations involved in the project applications. In the rst case, for one of the environments involved in the project (PyCOMPSs) the default behavior is to keep all intermediate les until the end of the execution, in case these les are reused later by any additional task. In the case of the other environment (HyperLoom), all les are deleted by default. To unify these two behaviours, the calls \delete object" and \detele le"have been added to the API and a ag \keep" that can be set to true to keep the les and objects that maybe needed later on. We are reporting results on the optimization of the storage needed by a small case of the project application that reduces the storage needed from 25GB to 350MB. The second focus has been on the de nition of an interface that enables the optimization of the use of local storage disk. This optimization focuses on MPI simulations that may be executed across multiple nodes. The added annotation enables to de ne access patters of the processes in the MPI simulations, with the objective of giving hints to the runtime of where to allocate the di erent MPI processes and reduce the data transfers, as well as the storage usage.

INDONESIAN NATIONAL POLICE'S ANTI-CORRUPTION FUNCTION AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Economic development relation with corruption and anti-corruption have been a long discussion. The research shall try to know about the works of anti-corruption function of the INP and its contribution to economic developpment. This research explores the works of the Directorate for Corruption Crime and how the works is connected to national economic development. Anti-corruption works of the INP are contributing to economic development through several ways. Firstly, the directorate does its main job in investigating corruption cases. Corruption case investigation has additional task on how on finding assets of prepetators as retribution of state loss caused by corruption. Secondly, the directorate is mandated as police unit which is advanced as free from corruption area sample within police force. Thirdly, the directorate is assigned as the part of INP integrity enforcer of the INP to investigate corrupt police officers. Number four, anti-corruption directorate is appointed to assist the Chief of INP in any of anti-corruption issue that need INP contribution on it, especially on prevention matter. However, the works,are not well supported by addequate infrastructures. By this understanding, actors who are involving on giving technical assistance for strengthening law enforcement agencies, hopefully, will contributte better toward contries' anti-corruption measures through the improvement of their anti-corruption functions.

Leveraging spiking deep neural networks to understand neural mechanisms underlying selective attention

Spatial attention enhances sensory processing of goal-relevant information and improves perceptual sensitivity. The specific mechanisms linking neural changes to changes in performance are still contested. Here, we examine different attention mechanisms in spiking deep convolutional neural networks. We directly contrast effects of noise suppression (precision) and two different gain modulation mechanisms on performance on a visual search task with complex real-world images. Unlike standard artificial neurons, biological neurons have saturating activation functions, permitting implementation of attentional gain as gain on a neuron's input or on its outgoing connection. We show that modulating the connection is most effective in selectively enhancing information processing by redistributing spiking activity, and by introducing additional task-relevant information, as shown by representational similarity analyses. Precision did not produce attentional effects in performance. Our results, which mirror empirical findings, show that it is possible to adjudicate between attention mechanisms using more biologically realistic models and natural stimuli.

Stage 2 Registered Report: How subtle linguistic cues prevent unethical behaviors

Background: Differences in descriptions can influence people’s evaluations and behaviors. A previous study by Bryan and colleagues suggested that subtle linguistic differences in ethical reminders can differentially prevent readers’ unethical behavior. The present study tried to replicate the previous finding in the Japanese context (Experiment 1); additionally, we explored the influence of unfamiliar Japanese instruction words that captured participants’ attention (Experiment 2). Methods: In two online experiments, participants were asked to make 10 coin-tosses and report the number of “heads” results, which would indicate the amount of money that they could earn. In Experiment 1, we analyzed the difference in the number of “heads” results as reported by 768 participants under three conditions with different instructions (“Don’t cheat” vs. “Don’t be a cheater” vs. baseline as a control). In Experiment 2, we conducted an extended experiment with an additional task in which more attention was directed toward the text. Results: In Experiment 1, we successfully replicated the results of the original experiment. The results of Experiment 2 showed no evidence that the results in Experiment 1 were influenced by attentional factors. Conclusions: In conclusion, the results of the present study supported the hypothesis that self-identity-related words of moral reminder curb unethical behaviors more effectively. Stage 1 report: https://doi.org/10.12688/f1000research.20183.4